Hello, I am Kari :)

Hello, My name is Kari Darrow. I was born with a twin-sister on July 30,1987. She was born alive and lived for 6 weeks in the NICU. She died on September 10,1987 from a Brain disease called HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus) Type 2. I'll post my full story after I post a little bit about myself. I was just given the opportunity today to be a Contributor/Administrator for this blog and look forward to it:). I am also associated with Twiness Twins Support Group and I help them out a little bit as well. I spend most of my time on the computer. I also go to church, and believe in God. I am a Fundamental Independent Baptist. I also help out in Pro-Life stuff, have since December 2010. I type articles for a Pro-Life site. Oh my spare time I like to be in church as much as possible for events and such, also spend time with people. I love being around people. If you would like to know more about me just ask:). my facebook page is www.facebook.com/twinkari , your welcome to add me as a friend:)

~My Twin Story~ Krista Lee & Kari Lynn Darrow
Diagnoses: 1. Prematurity at 33 weeks gestation.
                   2. Necrotizing Enterocolitis

On July 30, 1987, due to fetal decelerations with the first twin (Krista), Judy went into spontaneous Labour at 33 weeks gestation.  An emergency low segment Caesarian section was performed. Twin A, Krista was born first, Twin B, Kari was born second, breech 30 seconds after. Both weighted 3 pounds, 14 ounces. 15 Inches in length. Blonde hair and blue eyes. Kari Required minimal resuscitation. At 4 hours old Kari developed an episode of apnoea and bradycardia. A septic work-up was performed and was treated with antibiotics. Subsequently the cultures were negative and the antibiotics were discontinued. At three weeks old, Kari developed intolerance to feeds and a distended abdomen with a radiological picture suggestive of necritizing enterocolitis. A septic work-up was performed and was treated. Krista was born with Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 2, Encephalitis. She had systemic herpes virus infection. She had ROM for 7 hours. Mother was negative to have it. Herpetic lesions appeared at the site of scalp dip insertion. The virus in Krista was probably introduced by the scalp dip. They wanted to treat Kari with medicine incase she had Herpes as well. They where not ok with this and instead did some tests too see if Kari had Herpes as well. Mom and Dad, made the decision that they cant cope with taking care of Krista because she was handicapped. My mom expressed alot of anger and detachment.  HSV IgM titres in Kari was negative, she did not have the virus.
We were pre-mature by 7 weeks so we needed breathing tubes in our noses. Our heads were shaved bald so that we could also get a scalp dip put in the right side of our foreheads. We where placed in separate incubators in the NICU. Mom and dad came to the hospital often to see us. But it did cause alot of Anger because of Krista's diagnosis. We where always separate though never together at the same time. Mom and dad had to make decisions on what would happen with Krista once she was discharged. Dad wanted to bring her home but mom did not. they wanted to put her in an institution for handicapped people but mom didn't want to bring her home only for a short time until that would happen. It would be hard to bring her home to be with the family, then have her leave. Kari came home September 9. Krista died the next day at 1 months and 11 days old.

Funeral: At Donohue
Burried: At Mount Pleasant


~When I found out about her~
In Fall of 1994 when I was 7 years old my father told me that i had a dead twin sister. He took me back to my moms and showed me a little box that said Krista's name on it and he told me to open it.I looked inside and saw baby clothes, a sweater, hat and, booties. This was the outfit Krista died in. Then I saw a photo album, It had pictures of Krista. Then I saw a bag of Congradulation and sorrow cards. One card said congradulations on having twins and it had 2 loonies in it, That where suposed to be given to us when we got older. Then at the bottom of the box was a little White pillow with a pink ribbon. This was given to Krista after she died . Dad then took me to the cemetery and we found krista's grave and when i looked at it i stomped on it and my dad questioned me about it but i told him i didnt know why i did that. i was trying to see if she would wake up.